Interlocking hollow building block



March 8, 1955 A. QSSOINACK INTERLOCKING HOLLOW BUILDING BLOCK Filed Sept. 28, 1950 411E177 f4 2 x f7 5 Z INVENTOR.

INTERLOCKING HOLLOW BUILDING BLOCK Andrea Ossoinack, Milan, Italy Application September 28, 1950, Serial No. 187,318

Claims priority, application Italy September 30, 1949 2 Claims. (CI. 72-41) This invention relates to a building block made from burned clay, concrete or like material, for masonry and like building works.

It is one of the main objects of the invention to provide means expediting the disposition and assembly of building blocks and in a more positive manner as heretofore practiced.

The invention more specifically concerns various details of formations on building blocks to facilitate centering and bonding of same and each building block is characterized by the fact that it comprises two longitudinal side slabs or panel members which are interconnected by at least two spaced apart cross pieces, each cross piece terminating, on the one hand, in projections defined by recesses or grooves intersecting with each other and, on the other hand, in web means shaped and dimensioned so as to fit at least one of the grooves of a cross piece of an adjacent or similar building block when said adjacent building blocks are disposed in superposed position to each other, whereby respective surface portions of said superposed building blocks are flush and in contact with each other.

The centering and bonding formations (grooves, projections and web means) are preferably designed in such a manner that a firm bond is achieved, both between longitudinally superposed blocks, and blocks placed at an angle to each other to form wall corners. In both cases, the positioning of blocks for the erection of walls can be made in a quick and perfect manner, since the projections serve as a guide for the centering of the wall line.

The invention will hereinafter be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a first embodiment of the invention as seen respectively from below and from above.

Figs. 3 and 4 show analogous views of a modification of the invention.

Fig. 5 shows two blocks according to Figs. 3 and 4, superposed at an angle.

Figs. 6 and 7 show two modifications of the first embodiment.

Figs. 8 and 9 are views of a last embodiment according to the invention,

As shown by Figs. 1 and 2, the lateral slabs or panel members 1 and 2 of the block are connected to each other by means of spaced cross pieces 6 and 8, that consist of two rectangular parallelepipedons having a projection on one of the block bases (see Fig. 2) and a recess on the opposite base (see Fig. l). The projections of the cross pieces form four tongues 10 and 12, one on each side, designed to engage with corresponding recesses or rabbets 14 that are correspondingly arranged on each cross piece, in the sides 2 and 1 of the superposed (or underlying) block.

In case the superposed blocks are aligned to form a rectilinear Wall, the lateral tongues 10 are to engage with the recesses 14, while if the blocks are superposed at an angle to form a Wall corner, the front tongues 12 shall engage the recesses 14. In both cases, a perfect centering of the blocks will be obtained, together with a strong longitudinal and transversal bond of these blocks.

The projections of the cross pieces, in turn, will then engage with corresponding recesses of facing cross pieces. These cross pieces can be advantageously provided with a weight reducing bore 16, which could also be utilized nited States Patent 2,703,487 Patented Mar. 8, 1955 "ice for the laying of smoke fiues, service ducts and pipings, etc.

The projections are chamfered, in order to facilitate the laying of the blocks.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the panel members 1 and 2 are connected by means of the crosspieces 18 and 20 of substantially T-shape formation, wherein the flange or head forms the portion having a plurality of projections 25, while the web-forming end 19 of the leg of the T-shaped cross piece 18 or 20 is substantially flush or coplanar with the adjacent longitudinal surface portions 21, 23 of said side or panel members 1, 2.

The projections 25 are defined by two grooves 22, 24 intersecting each other one of which being directed lengthwise of the longitudinal axis of the block, the other of which being directed transversely to said axis, while the bottom of the grooves 22, 24 is substantially coplanar or level with the adjacent longitudinal surfaces 21, 23 of the panel members 1 and 2.

Projections 25 are further positioned next to surfaces 21a, 23a of the panel members 1, 2 facing each other. The width of the above grooves is substantially equal to the thickness of the cross piece web 19 whereby this latter can engage with the groove 24 of an underlying block, while in the case of a wall corner, the same web 19 maykengage with the groove 22 of the same underlying bloc At the same time, the panel members 1 and 2 rest laterally on the head of the cross piece carrying the aforesaid projections, thus causing the various blocks to be firmly bonded one to another, both in longitudinal and in transverse directions. Even in this latter case, both the grooves and projections are suitably chamfered, said projections having side walls converging toward said grooves 22, 24.

In the example shown in Fig. 6, the two panels 1 and 2 are connected to each other by three cross pieces 26, 28 and 30, the middle cross piece 30 being preferably provided with a bore 32. All the three cross pieces pro ject beyond the sides or panel members 1 and 2 at the upper ends thereof, and are recessed on the opposite ends. The sides, in turn, show two projections 34 and 36 corresponding to the recesses existing between the cross pieces, and two grooves at the opposite side.

When it is a matter of forming a wall, the longitudinal bond between these blocks is obtained by means of the projections and grooves on both sides, while a transverse bond is brought about by the cross pieces.

Fig. 7 shows a modification of the invention, one half of the block being seen from one end or base, and the other half from the opposite end or base. The cross ties or pieces 40 and 42 consist of two rectangular parallelepipedons, having longitudinal weight reducing bores 44.

The projections are defined by two intersecting grooves 46, 48 (as in the example of Figs. 3 and 5), while the recessed section shows a cross shaped projection 50 forming the corresponding web means, designed to cooperate with the grooves 46 and 48 of an adjacent block.

The cross pieces 52 and 54 of the example shown in Figs. 8 and 9, provided with aligned bores 56, show a design similar to that of the preceding example.

The projection of the cross piece is provided with a central recess 58 that can be cylindrical or cone shaped, or also square-shaped or truncated in cross section 60.

With the aforesaid recess there may be brought into engagement the cone shaped pivot 62 (or respectively the truncated shaped pivot 64) which is provided on the cross piece recessed section.

From these above examples, it will be apparent that the lightness of the block, and thus the entire masonry structure results from the fact that each block is substantially limited to the two essential elements by which the two wall faces are formed.

Moreover, the longitudinal and transversal bond system allows the building work to be made in an easy and quick manner, while the strength of the structure as a whole is increased, since the bond between the elements is brought about not only by mortar, but also by the combination of tongues or projections and recesses.

In the building of wall corners, there is a perfect cooperation between both converging wall sections, due

to the bond between the blocks laid at an angle, and between these latter and the blocks by which the walls are formed, since one half of the block length serves to form the corner pier, while the other half is alternatively inserted in the courses of the two converging walls, whereby the corner pier becomes automatically anchored, thus forming a monolithic structure.

By means of the aforedescribed blocks, edges for door or window openings can be formed and moreover, by turning the blocks about 180, door and window lintels can be formed. The hollow spaces between the cross pieces, besides bringing about an efficient thermal, acoustic and moisture insulation; allow also the accommodation of smoke flues, water ducts, service pipings, electric conductors and the like.

If the cross pieces show a continuous bore, this latter could be readily utilized as a smoke flue. Finally, into the block hollow spaces, reinforced concrete piles can be poured in, without the need for molds or castings, in any point of the wall.

The centering and bonding means with which the blocks are provided, allow the employment of even unskilled personnel, and the reduction in mortar required; the initial wall line is automatically and perfectly kept unchanged from the foundation onward. The blocks can be advantageously employed for insulating structures.

When an angle to be constructed for wall corners, it will be convenient that the outer side of one block be flush with the head of the superposed blocks; for such a reason, the position of cross pieces and of centering and bonding elements are to be suitably selected.

In particular, the width of the block may be kept equal to the half of its length.

In this latter case, for the building of a plain wall, each block shall be laid and bonded on two underlying blocks, or it shall have two superposed blocks, whereby it will co-operate with the half of each underlying or superposed blocks.

In such a case, as in the aforedescribed examples, the block shall be symmetrical with respect to the middle transverse plane.

The blocks can be made from burned clay, concrete or the like. Weight reducing holes or recesses may be provided in both sides.

The right is reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts, as will fall within the purview of the appended claims.

Width and height of the blocks are preferably to be made equal to a sub-multiple of the length, showing values such as to meet the normal requirements of wall thickness and of room dimensions.

The height could be conveniently reduced to cut down the weight, thus facilitating handling of the blocks.

The cross pieces could have a cross section other than that of a rectangular parallelepipedon, e. g. a C- or L-cross section.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided according to the invention a building block for masonry work which has two substantially parallel panel members each having an outer surface, an inner surface, a top surface and a bottom surface, a cross-piece extending intermediate said panel members and connecting the latter at said inner surfaces of said panel members, said crosspiece terminating at one end in a surface which is larger in area than the surface of the other end of said crosspiece, a plurality of spaced projections disposed on said one end of said cross-piece and defining therebetween crosswise extending grooves.

The bases of said grooves between said projections are substantially flush with the top surfaces of said panel members and intersecting each other substantially along the longitudinal axis passing through said cross-piece and along the center line between said parallel panel members, said projections being, respectively, positioned next to said inner surfaces of said panel members and being provided with corresponding side walls diverging upwardly from said bases of said grooves, the other end of each of said cross-piece terminating in a web which is substantially flush with the bottom surfaces of said panel members, said web being of a width substantially corresponding to the width of said grooves and being of a length corresponding to the distance between said inner surfaces of said panel members, the distance bet een the outer surface of one panel member and the center line between said panel members being substantially equal to the distance between the longitudinal edge of said one panel member and the longitudinal axis of said crosspiece, said web of one block being engageable with either of said crosswise extending grooves of an adjacent block when said blocks are disposed in superposed relation to each other.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. A building block for masonry work comprising two substantially parallel panel members each having a top surface and a bottom surface, at least two spaced apart cross-pieces longitudinally spaced from the longitudinal ends of said panel members, said panel members having side surfaces facing each other and being interconnected by said cross-pieces, whereby a cavity is defined by said panel members between two adjacent cross-pieces, said cross-pieces extending substantially from adjacent said top surfaces to adjacent said bottom surfaces of said panel members and being substantially flush with said top and bottom surfaces, spaced projections projecting from said cross-pieces beyond said top surfaces of said panel members and defined by grooves intersecting each other, and web means on said crosspieces and positioned adjacent said bottom surfaces of said panel members, said web means being of a width substantially equal to the width of said grooves and of a length substantially corresponding to the distance between said side surfaces of said panel members, said projections being, respectively, positioned next to said side surfaces of said panel members and being provided with corresponding side walls converging to said grooves, whereby said web means of one block is engageable with either of said intersecting grooves of a cross-piece of an adjacent block when said blocks are disposed in superposed relation to each other.

2. A building block for masonry work comprising two substantially parallel panel members each having an outer surface, an inner surface, a top surface and a bottom surface, a cross-piece extending intermediate said panel members and connecting the latter at said inner surfaces of said panel members, said cross-piece terminating at one end in a surface which is larger in area than the surface of the other end of said cross-piece, a plurality of spaced projections disposed on said one end of said cross-piece and defining therebetween crosswise extending grooves, the bases of said grooves between said projections being substantially flush with the top surfaces of said panel members and intersecting each other substantially along the longitudinal axis passing through said cross-piece and along the center line between said parallel panel members, said projections being, respec' tively, positioned next to said inner surfaces of said panel members and being provided with corresponding side walls diverging upwardly from said bases of said grooves, the other end of each of said cross-piece terminating in a web which is substantially flush with the bottom surfaces of said panel members, said web being of a width substantially corresponding to the Width of said grooves and being of a length corresponding to the distance between said inner surfaces of said panel members, the distance between the outer surface of one panel member and the center line between said panel members being substantially equal to the distance between the longitudinal edge of said one panel member and the longitudinal axis of said crosspiece, said web of one block being engageable with either of said crosswise extending grooves of an adjacent block when said blocks are disposed in superposed relation to each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS McCabe June 8, 1943 

